About the Club

Welcome to the official website of The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Victoria, Inc.It was first posted to the Internet on 4.1.99, this site is continually updated, and is expected to grow significantly, particularly in the areas of Breeder’s Directory, Stud Dog Register and Show Results with photos where possible.Since 1995, memberships have fluctuated between 400 and 500 members, primarily within Australia.

Domestic membership is not solely restricted to Victoria, with significant numbers from Queensland and more particularly New South Wales, where the Club boasts in excess of 50 members. Internationally, the membership also included enthusiasts from New Zealand, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

There are 3 significant reasons why this Club is able to boast such a considerable and well spread Membership. They are as follows:

The Club has long held a reputation for being “the friendly club” and its members work hard at maintaining this differentiator within its ranks.

The Club produces a bi-monthly quality 32 page magazine, entitled “The Stafford Bulletin”. Many members maintain their membership simply to receive this publication.

The Club boasts its “Stafford Shop”, where the enthusiast can purchase quality memorabilia of the breed at very competitive prices.

Given the 3 points above and the reasonable Membership fees, the Members of this Club see real value for money in remaining! Inside this website you will find much information about the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Health and general breed info, puppy buying tips and breeders contact details are all available on this website.

You will also find information on the SBTCV Inc and how to join and what the club can offer you and your Stafford. We also have show results available (past and present), and obedience information.

Should you have any queries about the SBTCV Inc, the breed or any other related matter, please do not hesitate to contact any of our executives or committee who will be only too pleased to help you.

Therefore we invite all our visitors to come back again soon and regularly.

Club History

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SBTCV Inc BY

LINDA SZIRER (FOUNDATION SECRETARY OF THE SBTCV Inc

In the early 1970’s a very small group of Stafford enthusiasts banded together to form the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Victoria. The first meeting to start the ball rolling was held at the home of Linda Szirer’s parents at Ormond in the suburbs of Melbourne, this being a fairly central venue.

Due to our small numbers, it was thought we could join forces with the Bull Terrierpeople and have a combined Club like they had in Queensland at the time. The KCC (Kennel Control Council), in their wisdom at the time, decided we couldn’t have a combined club, so we had to wait another year to submit our request for the formation of The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Victoria.

Before the Club was actually formed, Best of Breed sashes were organised for selected shows. Back then, we had Best In Group and Best Opposite in Group, so Best of Breed was not a necessary award and was very rarely awarded unless a sash was donated.

One of our first activities was a Stafford Match, held on 3rd August 1975 at Dandenong Showgrounds. Our judge was Mrs D Pardy. We had an excellent entry of 29 exhibits. One of our first meetings, before our affiliation are recorded thus:Minutes of meeting held at Nunawading Coffee Rooms on 21.7.75Apologies: Audrey Ripper, Gerald and Joan Reed, Dot Harrison.

Mr Fred Onions was nominated as Acting President and voted in. The Acting Secretary and the Acting Treasurer, Frances Riha. A small committee was organised and George Gray and Bill Ellson were appointed.Discussed was the match which was planned for Sunday August 3rd. Several people promised to donate trophies.

President closed the meeting.

Our first Championship Show was held at The Showgrounds, Ascot Vale on Sunday 29th October 1978, our judge, Mr Peter Luyten. He had an entry of 74 exhibits with Best In Show being awarded to Swan’s Kurnpow Charity.

Statement of Purposes

To promote and encourage the breeding, training and responsible ownership of pure bred dogs and in particular the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

To promote and raise the standards and exhibition of registered pure bred dogs, particularly the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

To promote the holding of Exhibitions under the Victorian Canine Association Inc. Rules and Regulations and to conduct Exhibitions and/or to promote Obedience Training and to conduct Obedience Trials, Tracking Tests, and Field Trials

To foster, promote and protect the interest of Exhibitors of dogs at Exhibitions and particularly the Exhibitors of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

To collect, verify and publish information relating to dogs and the breeding, training and responsible ownership and exhibition of dogs

To educate and encourage members, breeders and judges to abide by the requirements and standards approved by the Victorian Canine Association Inc. for the conduct of Exhibitions and Shows

To promote good fellowship and sportsmanship amongst members and those participating in or attending at Exhibitions and Shows

To inform members of and make known to them the Laws and Regulations of the State relating to the ownership and care of dogs, and the responsibility of owners for the conduct and actions of their dogs

To hold functions and lectures relating to dogs and to the purposes of the Club generally

To provide awards and donate prizes for competition at Exhibitions and for the competition by breeders, trainers and exhibitors of dogs

To foster relations with other Clubs and bodies having similar aims

To promote and assist any worthy cause, as agreed at a General Meeting of the Members of the Club

To invest the funds of the Club not immediately required in such a manner as the Members or the Committee in lieu thereof shall determine

To purchase, hire, lease etc. and do such things as are conductive or incidental to promoting and achieving the purposes of the Club

To carry on such other activities or promote and encourage responsible dog ownership, interest in the breeding, upkeep and training of and the general well-being and improvement of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and to do all such other things as may be necessary or conductive to carrying out the objects of the Club.

WELCOME

VCA Code of Ethics

MEMBERS CODE OF ETHICS

All members are bound by a code of ethics covering responsible dog ownership and breeder responsibilities. Code of Ethics of responsible dog ownership including keeping, welfare, breeding, selling and disposing of dogs by members of the Victorian Canine Association Inc.

COMPLIANCE WITH CODE OF ETHICS

Each member, upon signing an application for membership or renewal of membership of the VCA Inc., and being duly elected to general membership of the VCA Inc., shall, in addition to agreeing to be bound by the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the VCA Inc., be also bound by the VCA’s Code of Ethics relating to responsible dog ownership, including the keeping, welfare, breeding, selling and disposing of dogs by members to the effect of the terms and conditions set out under Section 2 hereof.

CODE OF ETHICS AND UNDERTAKING

In consideration of the Victorian Canine Association Inc. electing me to its general membership and approval of that renewal from time to time, I pledge to the Victorian Canine Association Inc. that:

I shall ensure that at all times all dogs under my control are properly housed, fed, watered, exercised and receive proper veterinary attention, if and when required.

I shall not allow any dogs under my care to roam at large and when away from home ensure they are kept fully leashed, or under effective control, at all times.

I shall breed only for the purpose of improving the standard of the breed, and not for the pet market or any other commercial purpose.

That excepting in extenuating circumstances, I shall not breed from any bitch kept by causing it to be mated before it is twelve months of age. Thereafter I shall not breed from any bitch kept by me causing it to whelp more than twice in 18 months. I will not breed any bitch kept by me causing it to whelp more than six times without prior veterinary certification of fitness for further breeding.

I shall not permit any of my purebred dogs to be mated to a dog of a different breed, to a crossbred dog, or to an unregistered dog of the same breed.

I shall not sell or otherwise transfer from my care any puppy under eight weeks of age, thus allowing for vaccination to be given at six weeks of age, and the necessary ten to fourteen days for the vaccine to take effect.

I shall not export a puppy under the age of 12 weeks. I shall ensure that all persons acquiring dogs from me clearly understand their responsibility for the care and welfare of the animal, and that they have the time and facilities (i.e. adequate fences, sufficient room and proper shelter, etc.) to perform their obligations.

I shall provide to all purchasers of dogs placed by me, written details of all dietary and immunisation requirements and/or an appropriate publication relating to such requirements and responsible dog ownership.

I shall not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers, or directly or indirectly to allow a dog to be given as a prize or donation in a contest of any kind.

I shall not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed, nor falsely advertise, or mislead any person regarding the performance of any dog. I shall ensure when selling or transferring a dog to another person that documents as required by VCA Inc Rules or Regulations, will be provided to the purchaser or transferee.

Any member failing to observe any provisions of the Code of Ethics may be dealt with under the Rules of the Victorian Canine Association Inc.